Raytheon volunteers spread the love of science, math and engineering one experiment at a time

Raytheon volunteers work with students from Blossomwood Elementary School on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects. Blossomwood is home to the state's only STEM lab and full-time STEM teacher. (Contributed photo/Joe Rogers)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- During the week Deborah Thomas works
as a senior system engineer for Raytheon Missile Systems. Every other Friday,
though, she and other volunteers from the Huntsville defense contractor become
inventors, creators and demonstrators - anything it takes to share their love of
science, math and engineering with students at Blossomwood Elementary School.

"The best part about doing this is seeing the excitement of
the kids," said Thomas, who coordinates Raytheon's STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics) program at the Huntsville elementary school. "They
are always happy to be here and to learn."

Thomas said the Raytheon volunteers have worked with
students on a variety of informative, hands-on projects. Last Friday's studies
involved plants, but other projects have included designing parachutes,
shooting rockets, studying electrical circuitry with the help of fruit and making
hand pollinators. All the lessons are specially designed to reach students in
each grade from Pre-K to fifth.

"We talk a lot about how science developed for NASA we now use
in everyday life, like digital thermometers and foamless and ingestible toothpaste,"
she said.

Blossomwood is home
to the state's only STEM lab and full-time STEM teacher, Autumn Bray. Bray said
STEM provides students opportunities students can't necessarily get in a
traditional classroom setting.

"It's providing the kids with an engaging opportunity to
connect with the real world in a fun environment," she said.

Raytheon volunteers work at Blossomwood every other Friday
on their own time. There are currently 15 working with STEM at Blossomwood and
another 10 assisting with math tutoring at Morris Elementary School.

Volunteer Will Pursley, a technical illustrator for
Raytheon, spent his time helping the students build wooden planters. It was his
first time volunteering at Blossomwood and he said he enjoyed the experience.